as in relaxing
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
after she gets home from work, she needs some time to decompress before preparing dinner
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Recent Examples of decompressing
The blend of flower extracts, among them jasmine, orchid, lavender, and blue lotus, lend the bath a floral fragrance—ideal for decompressing after a long day.
—
Deanna Pai, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2026
The shorter the line, the less likely there will be a melt down (and melt downs mean having to spend precious time decompressing someplace quiet, or possibly having to end the entire excursion early and going back to the hotel).
—Priscilla Blossom, Parents, 2 Jan. 2026
Spend today decompressing from last night’s festivities.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
On November 21, Crave released a two-minute preview of the show, featuring a scene between Ilya and Shane decompressing in a weight room.
—James Factora, Them., 21 Nov. 2025
Each affords particular outlets for decompressing and harvesting the stressors of high-capacity jobs.
—Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
Kaprizov spent much of his summer in Russia hiking with friends, miles from cell service, decompressing from a trying season that went from being an early Hart Trophy candidate to missing 41 games with a lower body injury.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
This decompressing period changed the ecosystem a lot of what’s going on [inside me].
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
The most important thing as a woman is decompressing after the show — washing off all my makeup and doing my skincare [routine].
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025
Deanna Pai, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2026
The shorter the line, the less likely there will be a melt down (and melt downs mean having to spend precious time decompressing someplace quiet, or possibly having to end the entire excursion early and going back to the hotel).
—Priscilla Blossom, Parents, 2 Jan. 2026
Spend today decompressing from last night’s festivities.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
On November 21, Crave released a two-minute preview of the show, featuring a scene between Ilya and Shane decompressing in a weight room.
—James Factora, Them., 21 Nov. 2025
Each affords particular outlets for decompressing and harvesting the stressors of high-capacity jobs.
—Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
Kaprizov spent much of his summer in Russia hiking with friends, miles from cell service, decompressing from a trying season that went from being an early Hart Trophy candidate to missing 41 games with a lower body injury.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
This decompressing period changed the ecosystem a lot of what’s going on [inside me].
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
The most important thing as a woman is decompressing after the show — washing off all my makeup and doing my skincare [routine].
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompressing
relaxing
Verb
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These collectible, blocky character builds hit the sweet spot between relaxing and rewarding, offering just enough of a challenge for a cozy night in and a display-ready payoff when you’re done.—
Brittany Anas,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Feb. 2026
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Add a Spa Treatment Having a massage or relaxing in an herbal cocoon at The Spa is the perfect complement to soaking in the tepid springs.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decompressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decompressing. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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